I wrote this for the September 5th Flash Fiction Challenge
Gunnery Sergeant Michael Paxton kept his head down as he worked his way forward. The fighting had died down somewhat, but the enemy knew he was still there. There was constant gunfire directed toward him, but they mustn’t have known exactly where he was. The rounds weren’t hitting all that close.
That ‘boot,’ Bim was the last man in, but when Paxton found him, it was too late. Undeterred he hefted Pvt. Bim over his shoulder and carried him back to the LZ. Where the quick and the dead waited together, waited for the Hueys; no one left behind.
The prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that shows true grit. You can use the phrase or embody the theme. Who or what has true grit? Go where the prompt leads you!
Yes – I think a Vietnam story is unquestionably gritty. I enjoyed your main character, even though the story was so short!
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Undeterred. Until he gets stateside and no longer has a clear mission or duty. Beware Sgt. Paxton.
Great take, a fine 99.
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True words. It was a problem then and can be a problem still.
I’m glad you liked it.
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Excellent.
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Your flash is so crisp and real, TN, and the actions give power to the last line.
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